Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's 'warning' to the Election Commission regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise has sparked a war of words with the BJP. Citing her "threat", the BJP has demanded action against CM Mamata and the deployment of central forces for the security of the Chief Electoral Officer in Bengal, Manoj Kumar Agarwal. West Bengal Assembly Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said: "I request that Central Security be provided to the CEO at his Office and Residence to ensure his safety, given the clear and present danger posed by these threats in a state where lawlessness prevails." 'Mamata blackmailing chief electoral officer' Calling Mamata Banerjee's "threat" "audacious", Adhikari posted on X (previously Twitter): "From a press conference held at the State Secretariat, in the presence of the Chief Secretary, she hurled baseless allegations against the CEO, accusing him of corruption and issuing covert threats to intimidate him. Her words, 'I hope he doesn't overreact or play aggressively', and references to 'various allegations' are nothing short of an attempt to blackmail and undermine an officer tasked with upholding the sanctity of our democratic process." He also posted the video of Mamata Banerjee's "threat". It is with grave concern and utmost urgency that I draw the attention of the Respected Chief Election Commissioner of India, to the blatant and audacious threats made by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee against the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of West Bengal, who is a… pic.twitter.com/BMvDJo9wLv — Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) October 9, 2025 He claimed this was not an isolated incident. "On July 28, during an administrative meeting in Bolpur, Mamata Banerjee openly threatened Booth Level Officers (BLOs), who are state government employees, warning them of 'consequences' if they dared to exclude even a single name from the voters' list, while performing their Electoral Duties. She reminded them that the ECI’s authority over them would cease post-elections, implying they would face her wrath," she said. Suvendu said that it was the ECI's failure to take action against CM Mamata that had "emboldened her to escalate her attacks". He pointed out the deteriorating law and order situation in West Bengal, citing the attack on Khagen Murmu he said that the MP had been attacked in the presence of state police "simply for distributing aid to flood-affected people". What did Mamata Banerjee say? The Trinamool Congress said it “will not tolerate deletion of voters”. Mamata Banerjee at Nabanna said on Thursday: "The BJP is scheming to introduce NRC in Bengal, hiding behind the pretext of SIR. Their entire machinery, instead of serving the people, has been weaponised to advance this political vendetta. This is nothing short of an attack on Bengal’s social fabric and an attempt to sow fear and division." .@BJP4India is once again scheming to introduce NRC in Bengal, hiding behind the pretext of SIR. Their entire machinery, instead of serving the people, has been weaponised to advance this political vendetta. This is nothing short of an attack on Bengal’s social fabric and an… pic.twitter.com/kwnoEiUc1Y — All India Trinamool Congress (@AITCofficial) October 9, 2025 "The SIR process itself is a fraud. It does not involve the public. Instead, a few officers are called for meetings and threatened, while the state government is completely excluded from these discussions. There are several complaints against the CEO of West Bengal (Manoj Agarwal), which I will reveal at the right time. But I hope he does not overreact. He has been threatening many officers," she said.
